The RS 3 Nardo Edition Is a Faster and Rarer Version of Audi's Pocket Rocket
Only 200 will be sold in the U.S.
The pocket-rocket Audi RS 3 is about to get even sharper performance. The Audi RS 3 Nardo edition reaches a greater top speed than the standard model, and it has the styling details to match. A mere 200 units are earmarked for sale in the United States.
Audi increased the top speed to an electronically limited 174 mph. That's a 19-mph bump over the regular RS 3. Engine output hasn't changed, though. The Nardo's 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine makes the same 394 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.
The limited model comes standard with a delectable-sounding sports exhaust, which is normally an option on the RS 3. This is not a feature you want to skip, as it gives the RS 3 a commanding roar befitting of its 3.6-second 0-60 time. As we've written in previous reviews, the standard RS fixed sport suspension provides a composed ride and isn't too firm.
Fittingly, the 2020 Audi RS 3 Nardo edition receives a Nardo Gray exterior paint color with Black Optic trim. The black accents can be found everywhere from the 19-inch wheels to the rear lip spoiler, exterior mirror housings, exhaust tips, and the exterior Audi rings and badges. Red brake calipers finish off the look.
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Inside the cabin, you'll find RS embroidered floor mats and Alcantara knee pads with special red stitching. Other red accents can be found on the air vents and seat belts. Carbon-fiber inlays give the cabin some extra pizzazz. Audi's best technologies come standard on the Nardo edition, including the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit, and an infotainment system with navigation and handwriting recognition technology. The setup is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Get ready to pounce, because the Audi RS 3 Nardo edition is arriving at dealerships in the U.S. now. Priced at $60,895, the special edition model is $3,700 more expensive than the base RS 3. Considering all the standard features you get, and the additional speed, we're tempted to think it's worth the extra coin.
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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